New Ideas For Christmas Veg

Why not try something a little bit different to liven up the veggies this year? Your guests will clear their plates!

- KATHRYN HAWKINS

Slow-Cooker Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage

81 Calories per portion

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 450g red cabbage, roughly chopped 
• 1tbsp vegetable oil 
• 1 red onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 tsp Chinese 5 spice seasoning Salt 
• 2tbsp red wine vinegar 
• 100ml red grape or pomegranate juice
• 150g seedless red grapes, halved
• 2tbsp pomegranate seeds

1 Put the red cabbage in the slow cooker dish. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the onion for 5min. Add the vinegar, seasoning and a little salt and then pour in the fruit juice. Bring to the boil, then pour over the cabbage and mix well.

2 Cover with the lid and cook on High for 2hr. Stir in the grapes, re-cover and cook for a further 1hr or until everything is tender. Serve sprinkled with pomegranate seeds.

Stir-Fried Greens With Bacon & Chestnuts

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 1tbsp vegetable oil 
• 25g garlic butter 
• 1 bunch spring onions, trimmed and sliced
• 400g of your favourite greens, finely sliced 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
• 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped
• 100g cooked chestnuts, chopped

1 Heat the oil and butter together in a large deep frying pan until bubbling, then add the spring onions. Cook, stirring, for 2-3min until softened.

2 Stir in the greens and seasoning. Stir fry for 2min, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook gently for 7-8min until wilted.